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WILDLIFE IN BRITIS COLUMBIAAT RISK
One fish Two fish
Species Red fish Ranking Blue fish* in British Columbia
. . . about more *Dr. Seuss, than just numbers.
Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management What is ranking for each province or state in its range. and why use it? NatureServe scientists assign the global Ranking is the process of assigning and national ranks with guidance from a risk of extinction1 “score” (i.e., rank) various experts in North America. In to each species. The purpose is to iden- British Columbia, the Conservation Species Ranking tify species most at risk, as well as to es- Data Centre (CDC), in the Ministry of in British Columbia tablish baseline ranks for each. Ranks Sustainable Resource Management, as- ritish Columbia has the highest di- allow risk to be monitored over time. signs the provincial rank, which is based versity of native wildlife in Canada, Conservation programs use species’ solely on its status within British Colum- including about 5250 species of ranks as one of a variety of criteria when bia. Provincial ranks are updated at Bplants, 1138 species of vertebrates, they set conservation priorities. annual meetings of specialists. To date, an estimated 60 000 species of inverte- biological groups assessed provincially brates and 10 000 species of fungi. How are species ranked? include mammals, birds, amphibians, Through the United Nations Conven- Ranking and review are based on a reptiles, freshwater fish, freshwater tion on Biological Diversity (1992), and standard set of criteria developed over molluscs, butterflies, dragonflies, vascu- under the National Accord for the Pro- the past 25 years by the international lar plants and mosses. tection of Species at Risk (1996), British organization NatureServe 2. These ranks The rank is based on an assessment Columbia has pledged to conserve this are scientifically based, but have no le- of the following factors: diverse array of life. This brochure gal implications. Each species is assigned outlines the procedures followed in a global rank that applies across its en- 1. estimated number of existing British Columbia to assess the degree tire range; a national rank for each na- occurrences3; of conservation risk for species. tion in its range; and a sub-national rank 2. viability of these occurrences;
Table 1. CDC CONSERVATION STATUS RANKS (S = Provincial, N = National, G = Global)
X Presumed Extirpated Not located despite intensive searches and no expectation that it will be rediscovered. or Extinct H Historical Not located in the last 50 years, but some expectation that it may be rediscovered. 1 Critically Imperiled Because of extreme rarity or some factor(s) making it especially susceptible to extirpation or extinction. Typically 5 or fewer existing occurrences3 or very few remaining individuals, e.g., fewer than 1000 Spotted Owl. 2 Imperiled Because of rarity or some factor(s) making it very susceptible to extirpation or extinction. Typically 6 to 20 existing occurrences or few remaining individuals, e.g., 1000 to 3000 White Sturgeon. 3 Vulnerable Because rare and local, found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of some other factor(s) making it susceptible to extirpation or extinction. Typically 21 to 100 existing occurrences, e.g., Gopher Snake. 4 Apparently Secure Because uncommon but not rare, and usually widespread in the province. Possible cause for long-term concern. Typically more than 100 existing occurrences, e.g., Olive-sided Flycatcher. 5 Secure Because common to very common, typically widespread and abundant, and not susceptible to extirpation or extinction under present conditions, e.g., Red-osier Dogwood. ? Unranked Rank not yet assessed. U Unrankable Due to current lack of available information.
1 Extinction is used here to also include “extirpation,” which is extinction on a local scale, i.e., where a species is no longer found in a province or country, but still exists elsewhere. 2 NatureServe, formerly known as Association for Biodiversity Information (ABI), grew out of the science division of The Nature Conservancy (U.S.). 3 Occurrence: a location representing a habitat which sustains or otherwise contributes to the survival of a population, e.g., a south-facing slope that provides winter range for ten elk would be considered a single occurrence, not ten. Table 2. RANK MODIFIERS contribute to a species’ rank, rather than subjective assessments. Because it is used E Exotic – a species introduced by man to the province. across North America (except in the ? Inexact or uncertain due to limited information; qualifies the immediately Northwest Territories and Nunavut), preceding rank character. the standardized ranking procedure Q Taxonomic status is not clear or is in question. also provides consistency when compar- ing conservation concerns in different T Designates a rank associated with a subspecies or variety. parts of a species’ range. B Designates a rank associated with breeding occurrences of mobile animals. N Designates a rank associated with non-breeding occurrences of mobile What is Listing? animals. Listing sorts species into groups with similar conservation risks. In order 3. trend in population size, number retain the global rank of the species, but to simplify interpretation of species of occurrences, may also be given a global subtaxon (T) ranks in British Columbia, three lists or geographic distribution; rank that indicates the status of that are created: Red, Blue, and Yellow. This 4. overall estimated population size; portion of the species. For example, the provides biologists, managers, and 5. geographic distribution (range); coastal subspecies of Northern Gos- interested public with an easily under- 6. number of occurrences adequately hawk, Accipiter gentilis laingi, is given a stood framework dealing with the protected and managed; global rank of G5T2. Combined ranks complexity of conservation needs of 7. actual or potential threats facing are occasionally given for global or pro- all species. Listing can also provide the species or its habitat. vincial ranks (e.g., G4G5, G5T4T5 or the foundation for establishing legal S3S4) when the exact rank is uncertain. protection for endangered or threat- Each factor is given a score of its own, All credible sources of information ened species. based on standards set by NatureServe. regarding distribution, abundance, The number of occurrences is key to trends, and threats are considered in the What are the Red, the status of many species, since those ranking process, including formal in- Blue and Yellow lists? with very few occurrences are vulner- ventories and research projects; status The Red list includes species that have able to both predictable and unpredict- reports; Breeding Bird surveys, Christ- been legally designated as Endangered able influences. The score for number mas Bird Counts, and other volunteer- or Threatened under the Wildlife Act of occurrences usually determines an based surveys; recorded ad hoc sightings; (see below), are extirpated , or are can- initial rank, which is then modified museum specimen records; and per- didates for such designation. The Blue sequentially based on the scores for sonal communications with species ex- List includes species not immediately the other factors. perts, regional biologists and naturalists. threatened, but of concern because of A species rank is designated by a Because the ranking system used by characteristics that make them particu- number from 1 to 5 (Table 1, Table 2), the NatureServe and the CDC is objec- larly sensitive to human activities or preceded by G (for Global), N (for tive and transparent, the standardized natural events. National), or S (for Sub-national). assessments allow scientists and The Yellow List includes uncommon, Subspecies or important populations other experts to discuss the facts that common, declining and increasing
RED LIST BLUE LIST YELLOW LIST Species with S ranks of 1, 2, 1-2, 1-3, Species with S ranks of Species with S ranks of H or X4 2-3, 3, or 3-4 (animals only) 4, 5, 4-5, or 3-4 (plants only) Examples Examples Examples S1 Nooksack Dace S2S3 Great Basin Pocket Mouse S4 salt marsh dodder S2 white-top aster S3 yellow sand-verbena S5 Black Bear S1S2 Preble’s Shrew S3S4 Philadelphia Vireo S4S5 Northern Alligator Lizard S1S3 Keen’s Long-eared Myotis S3S4 yellow lady’s-slipper SH shy gilia SX Greater Sage-Grouse
4 Extinct species are excluded from the Red List. species – all species not included on the The Forest Practices Code Act of “May be at risk” based on whether or Red or Blue lists. Those species ranked British Columbia may designate red- not a formal status report has been S4, however, are considered to be of con- listed (and sometimes blue-listed) written. servation concern because they have a species negatively affected by forest or The Committee on the Status of En- small range or low abundance in the grazing practices as Identified Wildlife. dangered Wildlife in Canada () province, because they have shown pro- This affords special management atten- creates a national listing of species at vincial declines, or there are perceived tion by providing for the protection of risk that have been assessed through long-term threats. Thus the list of S4 spec- critical habitat in the form of special a formal status report review process. ies is a “Watch List” of species to be ac- management guidelines and reserve was formed in 1977, and arose tively monitored and otherwise studied. areas called Wildlife Habitat Areas. from the need for a single, scientifically sound national species-at-risk listing How are species Other Canadian systems at arm’s length from government. legally protected for ranking and listing is made up of scientists, in British Columbia? Under the National Accord for the government managers and non-govern- British Columbia has no stand-alone Protection of Species at Risk (1996), the mental specialists, who have demon- endangered species act. The provincial federal and provincial governments strated expertise in relevant scientific Wildlife Act protects virtually all verte- agreed to provide periodic general sta- fields. The international ranking system brate animals from direct harm, except tus assessment summaries for Canadian used by is adapted from that as allowed by regulation (e.g., hunting flora and fauna. The first such publica- of the World Conservation Union or trapping). Legal designation may tion, Wild Species 2000: The General () in Switzerland, has been in confer special protection for selected Status of Species in Canada, was released development for more than thirty years, red- and blue-listed species, their resi- in 2000. The goal of these published and is regularly refined. The listing of dences, or their critical habitat. Legal summaries is to monitor, assess and re- a species by has no legal designation as Endangered or Threat- port on the status of all species in a consequences; it is solely meant to ened under the Act increases the penal- broad, straightforward manner. Status draw official attention to species at risk ties for harming a species, and also ranks include “At risk”, “May be at risk”, across the country. At present, the ma- enables the protection of habitat in a “Sensitive”, or “Secure”. The ranks can jor short-coming of the list is Critical Wildlife Management Area. At identify species in trouble, species for the large number of species potentially present, four species are legally desig- which more information is needed, or at risk that have not yet been assessed. nated: the Vancouver Island Marmot species for which a formal status assess- For example, Wild Species 2000 identi- (Marmota vancouverensis), American ment or further management action is fies 33 vertebrate species that are White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhyn- needed. For the most part, these ranks “May be at risk” (lacking formal assess- chus), and Burrowing Owl (Athene are simplified versions of CDC ranks, ment). This number would be much cunicularia) as Endangered, and the Sea however, the rarer or more threatened larger if fish, plants, and invertebrates Otter (Enhydra lutris) as Threatened. species are considered “At risk” or were considered.
For more information, visit these Web sites: BC Species at Risk – Endangered Species and Ecosystems http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/index.htm in British Columbia British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC) http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc/ Biodiversity & Wildlife http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/ Identified Wildlife (IWMS) http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/identified/index.html COSEWIC http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/index.htm NatureServe http://www.natureserve.org/ .., --- : , . B.C. Conservation Data Centre . , Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management . , . , PO Box 9993 Stn. Prov. Govt. , , . ---. . Victoria, BC V8W 9R7 , [email protected] Printed in British Columbia on recycled paper with vegetable base inks.